Implant ESD protection network

Abstract

A protective component is provided for protecting a cochlear implant from external electrostatic discharges. The implant receives signals through a receiver coil inductively coupled to a transmitter coil. The protective component is disposed across the coil of the transmitter.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device for providing therapy to a patient comprising: an implantable portion for implantation in the patient, said implantable portion including a receiver for receiving signals;   an external portion for generating signals, said external portion including a transmitter for transmitting signals to said receiver when said external portion is positioned to provide inductive coupling between said transmitter and said receiver; and   a protective device disposed in said transmitter provided to suppress the effect of electrostatic discharge to prevent propagation of said discharge energy to said implantable portion.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 wherein said implantable portion is a cochlear implant. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 2 wherein said external device is a speech encoder. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1 wherein said receiver and transmitter include respective coils. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1 wherein said protective device is electrically connected across said transmitter coil. 
     
     
       6. A device for providing therapy to a patient, comprising: an implantable portion for implantation in a patient, said implantable portion including a receiver for receiving electrical signals; and   an external portion for generating said electrical signals, said external portion including a transmitter having a transmitter coil adapted to transmit said signals to said receiver by magnetic induction when said transmitter is positioned adjacent to said receiver;   said external portion further including a protective device electrically coupled across said transmitter coil and arranged to suppress undesirable transient signals from propagating from said transmitter to said receiver.   
     
     
       7. The system of claim 6 wherein said said receiver includes a receiver coil, said coils being inductively coupled when said transmitter is positioned adjacent to said receiver. 
     
     
       8. The system of claim 7 wherein said protective device includes means for suppressing the damaging effects of electrostatic discharges. 
     
     
       9. The system of claim 8 wherein said implantable portion is a cochlear implant and said external portion is a speech processor. 
     
     
       10. A method of protecting a therapeutic device from electrostatic discharges, said device including an implantable portion having a receiver for receiving signals related to therapy, and an external portion generating said signals and including a transmitter for inductive transmission of said signals to said receiver when said transmitter and receiver are adjacent, said transmitter including a protective device disposed therein, said method comprising suppressing undesirable electromagnetic interference in said transmitter with said protective device to prevent said interference from damaging said implantable portion.   
     
     
       11. The method of claim 10 wherein said suppressing is performed by said protective device by suppressing electrostatic discharges.